After Midnight [Yeonbin]

8.✨️𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚✨️

The next few days after the event were surreal for Soobin. Each interaction with Yeonjun felt like uncharted territory. The walls between them weren’t completely down yet, but they were definitely starting to crumble. And Soobin felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness with every small step forward.

In class, Soobin and Yeonjun didn’t sit together, but they’d occasionally exchange a glance or a subtle smile. It was small, almost imperceptible to others, but to Soobin, it felt monumental. The dreams of Yeonjun continued, but now the lines between dream and reality were blurring. Sometimes, Soobin wasn’t sure if he preferred the gentle, dreamy Yeonjun or the real one standing before him.

During lunch, Beomgyu nudged Soobin playfully. “You’ve been daydreaming a lot lately. I’m guessing it’s got something to do with a certain someone?”

Soobin smiled, feeling a bit sheepish. “Maybe.”

“You guys are really getting close, huh?” Beomgyu mused, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve never seen Yeonjun open up to anyone like this before. You’ve got some kind of magic.”

Soobin shrugged, not entirely sure how to explain it himself. “It’s not magic. I just... I don’t know. We understand each other, I guess.”

Beomgyu grinned. “That’s what all the best love stories are built on, my friend.”

Soobin’s cheeks turned pink at the word “love.” Was that what this was? They were just getting to know each other, and while there was a pull between them, Soobin wasn’t ready to put a label on it. But the thought lingered, making his heart beat a little faster.

Later that afternoon, Soobin found himself walking to the library, a book in hand, when he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

“Soobin.”

He turned to see Yeonjun standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets and a slight smile playing on his lips. “I was hoping to catch you.”

Soobin’s heart fluttered. “Hey! What’s up?”

Yeonjun looked around, his expression a little uncertain. “Do you... maybe want to go for a walk? There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

Soobin nodded, curiosity piqued. “Sure. Let’s go.”

They left the school grounds and walked toward a nearby park. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the path, and a light breeze rustled the leaves in the trees. The park was relatively quiet, save for the distant sounds of children playing and the occasional chirp of birds.

As they walked, the silence between them felt comfortable, but Soobin could sense that Yeonjun was working up to something. His serious expression was back, but there was an underlying softness to it—like he was letting down his guard bit by bit.

After a few minutes, Yeonjun finally spoke. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said that night—about taking things slow, one step at a time.”

Soobin glanced at him, nodding. “Yeah?”

Yeonjun’s gaze remained focused on the path ahead. “I’m not used to letting people in, but with you... it feels different. And it scares me.”

Soobin’s heart clenched. He had suspected as much, but hearing Yeonjun admit it out loud made it all the more real. “You don’t have to be scared,” Soobin said gently. “I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to get to know you, the real you.”

Yeonjun stopped walking, turning to face Soobin fully. His eyes were intense, but there was a vulnerability there that Soobin had rarely seen. “What if the real me isn’t what you expect? What if I’m not as kind or gentle as the person in your dreams?”

Soobin’s breath caught in his throat. How did Yeonjun know about his dreams? He hadn’t told anyone about them, not even Beomgyu. But somehow, Yeonjun had sensed it—sensed the connection that ran deeper than either of them had realized.

“I’ve seen parts of you, both in dreams and in real life,” Soobin said softly, his voice steady despite the rush of emotions inside him. “And I know there’s more to you than just the serious, guarded version you show to everyone else.”

Yeonjun looked down, his expression conflicted. “It’s just... hard to believe sometimes. That someone would want to see all of me, flaws and all.”

Soobin stepped closer, his heart pounding in his chest. “I do, Yeonjun. I don’t care if you’re not perfect or if you’re not always the person I see in my dreams. I want to know the real you—the good, the bad, all of it.”

Yeonjun’s gaze softened, and for a moment, the tension between them melted away. He looked at Soobin with an intensity that made Soobin’s heart race. “You really mean that?”

“I do,” Soobin said without hesitation. “I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time, Yeonjun’s expression completely relaxed. He looked almost relieved, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “You’re different, Soobin. I don’t know why, but I feel like I can trust you.”

Soobin’s chest tightened with emotion. Hearing those words from Yeonjun meant more to him than he could express. “I’m glad,” Soobin said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I feel the same way about you.”

They stood there for a moment, the breeze gently tugging at their hair, the world around them fading into the background. In that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world—two souls finding each other in the midst of chaos.

After a while, Yeonjun broke the silence, his voice softer now. “I’m sorry if I’ve been difficult. It’s just... hard to let go of the past sometimes.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Soobin said gently. “We all have things we’re dealing with. I’m just happy that you’re letting me in, even if it’s just a little bit at a time.”

Yeonjun smiled, a real, genuine smile that made Soobin’s heart skip a beat. “Thanks, Soobin. For being patient with me.”

Soobin smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “Anytime.”

They continued their walk, the conversation flowing more easily now. Yeonjun opened up a little more, sharing bits and pieces about his life—his struggles, his dreams, his fears. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the park, Soobin realized something important. This wasn’t just about dreams anymore. The real Yeonjun—the one standing beside him, opening up in ways Soobin had never expected—was so much more than anything his dreams could have shown him.

And Soobin couldn’t wait to get to know him even better.